The Ruins of Caliburn

Of all the objects and places in Ravenwood, the most conflicting stories come from the ruins of an ancient civilization. From what we can understand of its remains, they were humanoid, even intelligent. Their architecture represents a time long gone, but expresses engineering impossible to a more primitive kind of species. The inhabitants of Caliburn, whoever they were, possessed the intelligence and wherewithal to create grand stone structures. 

The remains of a stone edifice, whether a church, a castle, or a hovel, is all that exists of them. Those with some training in historiography determined some hundred years ago that these ruins were not alone. Though underground, other stone remains exist, with evidence of writings that no linguist has been able to trace. Knowledge of the culture of Caliburn has seen little growth since these historians gave up the cause generations ago. Since then, our understanding has not increased, but rumors and whisperings have flourished. Why did the historians abandon their studies in Ravenwood? What more could they have learned if they had stayed? Is it true that Caliburn was among the wealthiest of the kingdoms of old? 

Whole histories could be written exclusively on the rumors about Caliburn’s ruins. What seeds of truth exist among all the fluff of excitement about riches and curses cannot be determined. Not in a timely manner, at any rate. The most popular myth is this: that Caliburn was an expansive kingdom of old, ruled by a king whose success and wealth exceeded that of any ruler in our times. Perhaps through conquest; perhaps through some cache in the ground that he had discovered. The end to this tale has several variations, but most agree that the king became fixated on his gold, holing himself up in a stone keep and permitting none to enter. Some within the wood claim that this followed the loss of a great love of his, whether a lady or a child. Regardless, his kingdom fell into disrepair and neglect, until the king was abandoned by all except his riches. He learned too late that the gold that he had exiled himself for could not be taken with him. 

Not far from the Pool of Eli’ad’een, the ruins have proven to be a hub of activity in recent weeks. A rise in goblin sightings near to the ruins has resulted in a spike of interest in the myths of ancient Caliburn. What the intentions of the creatures are is unknown, but they have been seen searching throughout the ancient stones, and amassing materials in a nearby stronghold.